African countries and some parts of the world are unable to produce wealth as a result of climate change, which also lowers GDP and has an impact on national security and human rights. Climate change is already having a negative impact on the environment. It is worsening desertification and biodiversity loss, endangering global food and economic security, and weakening the resilience of economies.
The negative consequences of climate change, which present several obstacles to the African continent’s economic growth, natural resource availability, and human livelihoods, are especially likely to affect it.
Ethiopia, like many African countries, is experiencing the repercussions of climate change. One of the most notable effects is the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather occasions. Droughts, floods, and heat waves have become more frequent, leading to significant disruptions in agriculture, water availability, and energy production.
Agriculture is a critical sector for Ethiopia’s economy, employing a large portion of the population and contributing to the country’s GDP. However, changing weather patterns and prolonged droughts have caused crop failures, reduced agricultural productivity, and increased food insecurity.
According to the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) report, Ethiopia experienced severe droughts in recent years, resulting in widespread crop losses and a significant humanitarian crisis. These climate-related challenges have been exacerbated by population growth, limited access to irrigation, and inadequate infrastructure for water management.
According to global humanitarian overview, In Ethiopia, the worsening drought and impact of conflict and violence in parts of the country and resulting waves of displacement mean that 28.6 million people will need humanitarian assistance in 2023.
The lack of sufficient financial assistance from developed countries to underdeveloped poses significant obstacles for African countries that endeavor to combat climate change, impeding their progress and hampering their ability to implement effective solutions, Nassim Oulmane (PhD), Director of Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resource Management Division Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) told The Ethiopian Herald.
In the COP28 meeting, a number of encouraging promises and projects were made public. However, without quickly offering fresh, substantial, regular, and accessible funding, many of these plans will remain unfulfilled, he mentioned.
The country faces significant funding needs: nearly 5.9 trillion USD will be required for the implementation of nationally determined contributions by 2030, while 215 – 387 billion USD will be required annually for adaptation, and 4.3 trillion USD will be required for clean-energy investment. These are huge amounts of money that are not readily available from existing public funds, he said.
COP28 meeting also disclosed, a large number of new pledges announced, including pledges to the Green Climate Fund, a global pledge on renewable energy and energy efficiency, and an oil and gas decarburization charter, questions remain regarding the extent to which these funds and pledges are new, concessional, and additional.
For Africa, adaptation finance remains the priority. However, COP28 did not signal sufficient urgency in addressing the huge gap in adaptation finance, and little progress was made in finalizing a global goal on adaptation, he said.
Obviously, the provision of affordable finance, debt restructuring, incentivizing new and innovative forms of finance, and reforming international financial institutions and systems will be essential to meeting both development and climate goals.
He also stated that the need for accessible, predictable, and new financing to bridge the financing gap required for implementing climate change initiatives.
Furthermore, the climate crisis has impacted Ethiopia’s water resources; decreased rainfall and prolonged dry spells have led to reduced water availability in rivers, lakes, and basins. This has not only affected agricultural activities but also hampered energy production from hydropower, which is a significant component of Ethiopia’s energy mix.
In addition to the challenges in agriculture and water resources, the climate crisis has also contributed to environmental degradation and ecosystem vulnerability in Ethiopia. Deforestation, land degradation, and desertification have become more prevalent, threatening biodiversity, soil fertility, and the overall health of ecosystems.
Building climate resilience is the foremost obligation that African countries face in the interventions needed to combat the impacts of extreme climate events. This is unavoidable considering that all the key development sectors, such as agriculture, water, energy, and transport, are increasingly and severely disrupted by climate occasions.
He stated that recently, the AUC, ECA, and regional partners launched the African Union climate resilient development strategy and action plan, which will complement already existing national-level climate policies. Further, African countries continue to integrate climate change into their national development visions and blueprints.
One of the weaknesses of development programs in Africa is the limited use of climate information services (CIS) to guide decision-making. This is why African countries are investing in filling gaps in the available CIS, addressing the institutional weaknesses of national hydrological and meteorological services, and weakening the integration of climate services into national planning and decision-making processes, he added.
Non-state actors, including civil society organizations are gaining momentum and making inroads in creating awareness of climate issues and fighting for climate justice in Africa. Through these efforts, vulnerable groups such as women, farmers, and the youth have gained a voice on climate change matters that impact their livelihoods, he said.
The impacts of climate change have forced the country to explore alternative sources of energy and invest in renewable energy projects. In this sense, the Ethiopian government implemented various activities related to renewable energy. Such as, wind, solar power, and geothermal power. These environmental changes have implications for sustainable development, including tourism, which is an important source of revenue for Ethiopia.
The WESP and UNECA data also estimate that climate-related disasters and procedures cost Africans countries an average of 7 billion USD annually. These costs include both direct damages, such as infrastructure destruction and crop losses, as well as indirect impacts on health, education, and productivity. The economic burden of climate change hinders poverty reduction efforts, undermines economic growth, and perpetuates social inequality.
After four years, Ethiopia has taken significant steps towards addressing the climate crisis. The country has developed a Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy, which aims to build a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy. The CRGE strategy focuses on sectors such as agriculture, forestry, energy, and transport, with the goal of promoting sustainable development while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the green legacy initiative, Ethiopia has been planted about 32.5 billion seedlings in the past five years. This green initiative indicates that the country has also been proactive in international climate negotiations and has made commitments under the Paris Agreement. The country objectives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and has set ambitious targets for renewable energy generation, reforestation, and climate adaptation measures.
He stated that the Green Legacy Initiative, particularly in the Afar, Amhara, Oromia, and Somali regional states, serves as a showcase for addressing the challenges of drought in the region. Not only is it to prevent the country’s drought, but it is also a novel and noble intervention in a Horn of Africa region that continues to suffer incessant cycles of drought, he added.
ECA recently implemented the Nature-Based Solutions for Water resources infrastructure and community resilience with the Ministry of Water, Irrigation, and Energy and followed these activities to build capacities for the fabrication and distribution of clean cook stoves to reduce the exposure of women and girls to indoor particulate pollution and to improve the health of participating communities, he said.
Moreover, additional support from the international community is crucial to assisting Ethiopia and other African countries in addressing the climate crisis effectively. The WESP report emphasizes the need for financial resources, technology transfer, and capacity building to strengthen climate resilience and support sustainable development in Africa. International cooperation, including the fulfillment of climate finance commitments, is vital in assisting African nations in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.
Besides, the adverse effects on agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems are threatening livelihoods, economic development, and social well-being. Ethiopia has taken steps to address the climate crisis through its CRGE strategy and international commitments. However, additional support is needed to strengthen climate resilience, promote sustainable development, and ensure a just transition to a low-carbon economy. It is crucial for the international community to fulfill its commitments and provide the necessary resources to help African countries navigate the challenges of the climate crisis and build a sustainable and prosperous future.
BY FIKADU BELAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 11 FEBRUARY 2024
